Wharf District

Wharf District Public Realm

Wharf District Public Realm

Planning | Boston, Massachusetts

With Boston’s epicenter shifting as a result of the of development in the Seaport and signature buildings planned in their own neighborhood, the Wharf District Council embraced the opportunity to re-envision and reclaim its place at the heart of the city’s business and tourism economies.

Halvorson Design was engaged by the Council to develop a bold vision for the public realm which establishes a recognizable identity and is responsive to both climate change and sea level rise.

By facilitating community-wide discussion, Halvorson Design formed an aspirational concept that opens the area to public uses as the neighborhood continues to experience commercial growth. This vision draws on the strong visual connection between land, sky and water that is unique to the physical space, and incorporates expanded views, improved wayfinding and public amenities, such as a floating dock, to activate the water’s edge for visitors and locals alike.